I can't believe that spring training has finally started. That means
that the real games will be starting pretty soon. Maybe then we will
be able to put aside the controversies and problems and be able to focus
on the game itself. For me, it involves beginning to come up with a
schedule of where I would like to go. I know that I have said I don't
like planning in advance in previous articles. But I do like figuring
out what all of my options are. That way I won't miss something good.

Like you, I keep hearing rumors about what the state of the Montreal Expos
will be next season. Personally, I think that their best bet would
be to move the team to a new location where the fans want a major league
team. Montreal may be better back in the International League. I'm
sure that everyone remembers how they used to play in the International League
until 1960. Well, the logistics of that would still take some work,
and it isn't my job to figure it out. Since this season may be my last
chance to see a major league game in Montreal, I decided that I will try
to see a game there this season.

It would be one thing to just circle a game on the schedule and head to Montreal
for the game and see a few other things in the city. Tickets certainly
aren't an issue. So it probably is just as simple as that. But
for me, that isn't enough.

If you take a look at a map, there are three baseball teams up in that general
vicinity that are relatively close together. Those teams being the
Montreal Expos, Ottawa Lynx and Vermont Expos. Ideally, I would like
to find a three day stretch where I could see these three teams. Montreal
would need to be the middle game since it is geographically between Ottawa
and Burlington, VT. That way, I wouldn't have to do any backtracking
and could do a nice loop.

Taking a closer look at the team's schedules, it turns out that there are
8 such instances this season. These occur in three different groups:
June 19-20-21, August 1-2-3-4-5, and August 29-30-31-September 1-2-3-4.
Looking at these groupings, I have choices of what days of the week,
or even what time of year I could go. So if you were contemplating
doing something similar, some of the work has now been done for you.

For me though, three games isn't always enough. I started looking at
the schedules of a few other teams between here and there as well. I
haven't yet seen the Hudson Valley Renegades or Tri-City ValleyCats, and
those teams are geographically between my house and Vermont. So maybe
I could add a game in one of those cities. Unfortunately, the schedules
don't coincide so I could add games in both cities together.

Similarly, I haven't seen the Auburn Doubledays or the new Syracuse SkyChiefs
stadium (P&C Stadium), both of which are between Ottawa and where I am
sitting at the moment. I did see Syracuse play in MacArthur Stadium
in 1996, but I wouldn't mind seeing a new stadium. And there is a scenario
where I could see both teams along with the earlier three game swing I discussed.

Now I don't actually think I will be seeing 7 games in 7 days. But
I may see a subset of those games. Although maybe I could even extend
my trip beyond what I have here. But if you have a week in which you
would like to see New York, Vermont, Ontario and Quebec and want to see a
baseball game each night, this is probably the best way to do it.

I haven't yet decided when I will be going to games this season, but at least
now I have something to shoot for. Now how am I going to convince somebody
to join me on a trip like this?

I am always looking for topics to write about, so please
send me an email and let me
know what would be interesting reading for you. Feel free to ask any questions
or give an idea for a column.